SD-WAN and MPLS are both popular options for businesses looking for a reliable and secure networking solution. However, choosing between the two can be a tricky decision, as each has its unique benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we’ll go over the basic concepts of SD-WAN and MPLS and compare them to help you determine which solution is right for your business.
What is MPLS?
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a traditional route-based technology that uses a dedicated circuit to connect different locations. It was originally designed to handle voice traffic on the internet, but it has since expanded to include data traffic as well.
MPLS typically offers better quality of service (QoS) than other networking options, making it a reliable choice for businesses with significant amounts of data to transfer. However, MPLS can be costly and may have limited ability to scale up or down.
What is SD-WAN?
Software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) is a modern networking technology that uses software to manage and orchestrate the routing of data over an internet connection. SD-WAN is more efficient than traditional networking because it can simultaneously use multiple paths to transmit data, optimizing performance and reducing costs.
SD-WAN is easy to set up and manage because it is decentralized and doesn’t require a centralized hub or a dedicated circuit. However, like MPLS, it may not guarantee the same level of QoS as MPLS, especially in areas with limited internet infrastructure.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between SD-WAN and MPLS
When choosing between SD-WAN and MPLS, several factors require consideration. Here are some critical points that may impact your decision:
1. Cost: SD-WAN generally has lower up-front costs than MPLS. Additionally, the cost of adding new locations is more feasible for SD-WAN as MPLS tends to become significantly more expensive over time.
2. Scale: MPLS is well-equipped for businesses with a smaller number of locations. However, businesses with a large number of locations may struggle to scale up leveraging MPLS due to cost constraints. SD-WAN is great for scaling up, and can frequently handle a higher number of locations cost-effectively.
3. User experience: Businesses that place a premium on maintaining a high level of QoS and uptime may find that MPLS is a better option than SD-WAN.
4. Security: MPLS can be harder to breach because it uses a dedicated circuit, making it more secure. On the other hand, SD-WAN is more vulnerable to cyber attacks because it utilizes an internet connection. However, SD-WAN can still provide excellent encryption and security protocols.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between SD-WAN and MPLS depends on your business’s needs. MPLS may be more suitable if you need QoS assurances, are comfortable with paying a higher up-front cost, and don’t need to scale much over time. Whereas, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective way to connect your business locations without sacrificing performance, SD-WAN may be the way to go. Ultimately, you should assess your business needs and discuss with an IT provider to decide which option is best.